Machine for printing capsules and the like



Sept. 10, 1 963 TRlPP 3,103,165

MACHINE FOR PRINTING CAPSULES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 3, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 10, 1963 I K. F. TRIPP 3,103,165

MACHINE' FOR PRINTING CAPSULES AND THE LIKE FiledAug. 3, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 m w w 1 2- I w M 2 5 Sept. 10, 1963 TRlPP MACHINE FOR PRINTING CAPSULES AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 3, 1959 IN I lulfllllllllll HII Hl IIH um mum I Hill United States Patent 3,103,165 MACHINE FOR HUNTING CAPULES AND THE LIKE Kenneth F. Tripp, Peterhorough, N.H., assignor to Markem Machine Company, Keene, N.H., a corporation of New Hampshire Filed Aug. 3, 195%, Ser. No. 831,084 11 Claims. (Cl. 1l135) This invention relates generally to apparatus for placing indicia on elongated cylindrical articles and more especially to a machine particularly adapted for printing legends or other identifying indicia on filled and unfilled gelatin capsules.

It is frequently desirable to print a label on or otherwise appropriately mark the two-piece hard gelatin capsules of the type that are commonly utilized in the pharmaceutical industry as containers for various drugs and vitamins, for example. These capsules must be marked in an inexpensive and rapid manner and without damage to them whether they are in filled or unfilled condition. In either event their handling involves certain unique problems as they are comparatively light and there is frequently a tendency for them to adhere to one another. The surfaces of these capsules may be treated or may be untreated which additionally complicates the handling difiiculties. In the marking process it is essential that the printing apparatus include accurate means for controlling the registration of the capsules relative to the printing mechanism in a manner such that the requisite large volume of accurately labeled capsules may be achieved without damage to individual capsules or to the printing equipment.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus for placing indicia on hard gelatin capsules and other similar articles.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved printing mechanism which is capable of marking hard gelatin capsules and similar articles and wherein the movement of articles relative to the printing mechanism is accurately controlled.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved capsule marking device capable of placing indicia on hard gelatin capsules and similar materials in an economical manner at high rates of speed without damage to the capsules.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel article positioning mechanism suitable for use with a rotary printing apparatus.

Still a further object is to provide means for feeding capsules sequentially from a bulk supply.

The preferred embodiment of the invention, a capsule printer, includes a feed mechanism which is adapted to align capsules and place them into a chute for feeding in end-to-end abutting relationship past a rotary printing mechanism which is adapted to apply the desired indicium to each capsule as it is moved past the printer. Associated with the printing mechanism is 'a capsule positioning device which insures the proper registration of each capsule relative to the printing mechanism and an accelerating device which is adapted to insure that the capsules are placed in end-to-end abutting relationship when they are in position to be labeled. This apparatus permits the marking of capsules in an economical and efficient manner at rates of 1,000 capsules per minute and above, and is designed for easy adaptability to a wide variety of sizes of capsules. The invention thus enables the provision of a simple, reliable and compact apparatus which is capable of high production rates and requires comparatively little maintenance.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be 3,103,165. Patented Sept. 10, 1963 seen as the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof progresses in conjunction with the drawings, in which: i

FIG. 1 is a side view in partial section of the capsule marking apparatus including the feeding, positioning and printing mechanisms according to a preferred embodi ment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the capsule feeding and positioning mechanism on an enlarged scale taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the feeding and printing 'mechanisms on an enlarged scale taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the capsule guide conduit taken along the line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a portion of the accelerating device associated with the feeding mechanism taken along the line 66 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the printing and positioning mechanisms taken along the line 7--7 of FIG. 4.

The capsule marking apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a horizontal table 10 which is supported by a plurality of legs 12. On this table 10' is mounted a capsule feeding unit 14 and a printing mechanism 16 which are connected by a capsule conduit in the form of a chute or trough 18. Also mounted on the table is an electric motor 20 and a gear box 22 through which all the driving forces necessary in the apparatus are provided.

The feed mechanism comprises a hollow cylindrical structure 24 in which is mounted a piston member 26 having a conical cap 28. The piston member is supported on a rod 30 which is mounted for vertical reciprocation and is caused to reciprocate by the cooperation of a cam follower 32 mounted on the rod and a rotatably driven cam 34. At the upper end of the cylinder there is positioned -an outwardly extending flanged support 36 on which is positioned an annular plate 38 which is driven in rotation by frictional engagement of a drive roll 40 (FIG. 2) against a depending flange surface 42 thereof. The surface of the plate is inclined slightly downwardly toward the periphery. The drive roll 40 is driven by the vertical shaft 44 and the horizontally disposed plate 46. A roller 48 mounted on a horizontally disposed shaft 50 (FIG. 2) frictionally engages the plate and is driven by a chain drive 52 from the gear box 22, thereby providing the means for rotating the plate 38. Disposed radially outwardly of the plate 38 is a fixed cylindrical wall structure or fence 54 which is supported from the main cylindrical structure and the wall or fence 54 in turn supports brackets 56 which support a hopper structure 58 above and substantially concentrically with the piston 26. The hopper 58 has a tapered lower portion and an opening of smaller diameter than the piston and is spaced a short distance above the plane of the rotating disk 38. A knob 68*, connected to the base of the piston rod 30, permits manual positioning of the elevator piston when such manipulation is necessary.

In operation the capsules 62 to be marked (which may be either filled or unfilled) are dumped in bulk into the hopper 58. If piston 26 is in its raised position, the capsules will not flow radially outwardly, even when annular plate 38 is rotated, as might be expected. Instead, they jam at the aperture between the bottomof hopper 58 and the top of cap 28. If the hopper is raised sufficiently to prevent such jamming, the capsules flow out unrestrainedly, making orientation of them by rotation of plate 38 impossible. However, when piston 26 is lowered, the capsules readily flow into the well of cylinder 24 and when the piston is subsequently slowly elevated, capsules are forced radially outwardly onto the rotating face of plate 33 at a controlled rate. Cam 34 is shaped to provide rapid downward movement of piston 26 to fill the cylinder with capsules and slow upward movement to force the capsules radially outwardly at the desired rate. As the surface of the plate 38 is slanted downwardly towards its periphery, the capsules tend to roll or slide outwardly and orient themselves about the periphery in lengthwise fashion, but in random endwise arrangement, against the surrounding wall or fence 54. An aperture is provided in that wall, and the trough or chute 18 is disposed adjacent thereto so that the capsules are continuously fed from the rotating plate onto the chute in end-to-end fashion.

The capsules slide down the inclined chute 18 toward the printing unit14. Disposed along the trough is a photoelectric sensing device 63 which is adapted to actuate a signalling device or otherwise appropriately control the machine if the flow of capsules past the photoelectric device is interrupted for more than a predetermined period. The chute at this point is composed of a flat plate member 64 and two side members 66, 68 as best shown in FIG. 5. Disposed over the center of the chute is a guide member 70 which is adapted to maintain the capsules within the chute but permits them to slide freely along it. This guide member 70 is supported at spaced intervals by laterally extending arms '72 which are positioned on studs 74 and is maintained in spaced relationship from the plate member 64 by springs 76.

An accelerating device 78 is positioned above the chute at a point intermediate the feed mechanism and the printing unit. The structure of this accelerating device may be best understood by referring to FIG. 4. Two spaced rotatable Wheel members 80, 82 are mounted adjacent the chute. Wheel 80 is supported and driven by shaft 84 and wheel 82 is carried by the stub shaft 86 which is supported by the arm 88 which is adapted to pivot about the shaft 90. The knurled bolt 92 and lock nut 94, on which arm 88 rests freely (shown in FIG. 6) control the position of wheel 32. A belt 96 is disposed over wheels 80, 82 so that it is positioned above the chute and is driven by wheel 81] so that its lower reach is moving in the same direction as the capsules 62 but at a higher speed than the normal feed of capsules therepast. This differential in speed may vary from a :4 ratio to a 4:1 ratio and in preferred operationa 3:1 ratio is employed. The lower surface (reach) of the belt is slightly inclined with respect to the chute so that there is a gradual increase in friction between the capsules and the belt as shown in FIG. 4. This gradual increase in friction. tends to gently urge the capsules forward into intimate end-to-end abutting engagement with one another.

Disposed below the accelerating mechanism adjacent the capsule chute is the printing unit. The chute member adjacent the printing unit includes a plate 98 in which a V-shaped groove lllll is cut as shown best in FIG. 7. This V-shap'ed groove provides improved lateral positioning of the cylindrical capsules. Disposed 'On either side of the plate 93 is a portion of the capsule positioning mechanism. This mechanism includes two star Wheels 102, 104 which have their axes of rotation perpendicular to the plane of the chute and aligned with one another. As shown in FIG. 3 the peripheries of the star wheels have a plurality of arcuate cut-out portions so as to provide a plurality of spaced peripheral points 106, and connecting surfaces 108 which are adapted to enable the positive engagement of each capsule and the coordination of its movement relative to the printing mechanism. This positive positioning mechanism is essential to insure the proper position of the capsules relative to the printing unit and it also controls the feed rate of the capsules thereby preventing an excessive increase in speed due to the action of the accelerating mechanism. The star wheels are driven in rotation in opposite directions and the peripheral capsule engaging portions contact each capsule and longitudinally align it in a precise manner relative to the printing mechanism. Each star wheel is manufactured from a flexible resilient material, such as rubber, and is mounted on a spacer bushing 109 and secured to a drive shaft 110 by means of a screw 112. Mounted on each drive shaft 110 within the gear box 114 and secured thereto in driving relationship is a gear 116, the two gears being disposed in meshing relationship so that the star wheels are driven in opposite directions by gear train 162 (FIG. 2).

The positions of the star wheels relative to the chute may be adjusted by means of a knurled clamping nut 117 which cooperates with the gear box 114 and permits its movement in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the chute so that the star wheels may be positioned appropriately relative to the capsules. The star Wheels may be easily removed and replaced with other wheels for accommodating different sizes or lengths of capsules.

The printing mechanism includes two rotatable elements which have their axes of rotation disposed in parallel relationship: an engraved wheel 118, and an off set roll 120 as shown in FIG. 4. The engraved wheel 118 has an outside layer of chrome plated on copper and that layer carries depressed indicia that are engraved in its surface. Disposed adjacent the engnaved wheel is a concentional printing ink fountain 122 which is adapted to contain an ink suitable for printing indicia on the capsules. The ink is applied directly to the surface of the engraved wheel and the excess is removed by a blade 124 which is oscillated in a conventional manner by the mechanism generally indicated at 126, ink thus remaining in the depressed engraved portions. Mounted on the opposite side of the engraved wheel is the offset roll 120. The offset roll may be manufactured from any of the rubber-like materials conventionally utilized for such purposes. It is'prefepably tapered as indicated in FIG. 7, leaving a peripheral surface of sufficient width to receive ink from the engraved wheel. The roll is divided into a plurality of segments by steep V-shaped incisions 128 at spacedintervals arranged to provide a plurality of spaced peripheral surface portions corresponding to the engraved indicia portions on the cooperating wheel 118. The V-shaped incisions preferably extend to a depth of at least one-third the radius of the roll, which together with the tapered side configuration of the roll enables the individual segments to have a degree of angular flexibility.

The axis of rotation of the offset roll is located beyond the axes of the star wheels by a distance equal atleast to the length of the capsule being printed so that the star wheels do not impede the forward motion of the capsules when they are in contact with the offset roll, thusinsuring the printing of a clear and accurate label. The engraved printing wheel and cooperating offset roll may be easily changed for accommodating different sizes or lengths of capsules or to alter the indicia with which the capsules are being marked.

In operation ink is transferred from the ink fountain 12.2 to the indiciaon the engraved wheel and in turn is transferred to the offset roll 12.0 for application to the capsules in a printing operation. In the printing operation the capsule is being positively driven by the star wheel mechanism when an offset roll segment initially contacts it. Although the offset roll is normally driven to provide substantially the same peripheral speed as the speed of the capsule as driven by the star wheel positioning means, there may be a slight differentialtherebetween which would be sufficient to produce a defective capsule marking. This condition is overcome by the provision of the segmented offset roll configuration in which each segmentpossesses sumcient angular flexibility to permit it to be driven by the contacted capsule at a slightly different rate if such speed differential is necessary due to the feed rate of the capsule to be printed.

In other Words, the configuration and the circumferential spacing at the outer printing surfaces of the resilient segments permit limited circumferetnial movement pf each segment independently of the other segmen tswhere necessary during the printing operation, thus preventing a possible blurring of the ink imprint transferred to the capsule. In this manner accurate printing on capsules at the high rates of speed contemplated by the invention is achieved. A capsule release bar 130 is positioned beyond the oifset roll and is adapted to release from the offset roll any capsule which may tend to remain there and to deposit the capsule in the ejection chute 132 which is disposed at the end of the main chute.

The drive system for the entire printing apparatus may be best understood with reference to FIG. 2. That drive system includes the motor 2i) which is connected by means f sheaves 134, 136 and a V-belt 138 to the main drive shaft 140 of the gear box 22. Extending from the gear box is a first shaft 142 which is adapted to drive the piston rod cam 34 of the elevator mechanism, a second shaft 144 which drives a sprocket 146 and chain drive 52 to rotate the plate 38 through the two friction members 40, 48 and a third shaft 148 on which is mounted a sheave 150 to drive a V-belt 15.?r for the main printing mechanism shaft 154. A clutch mechanism 156 is interposed between the driven sheave 158 and the drive shaft 154. The main printing shaft drives the offset roll 120 directly, the accelerating mechanism drive roll 80 through a chain drive 169, the star wheels 192, IM through a gear train 162, and the engraved wheel 113 through a gear train 164.

There is thus provided a machine particularly adapted for the printing of labels on two-piece hard gelatin capsules, whether they be empty or full, and that is capable of operating at production speeds in excess of 1,000 capsules per minute. A novel feed mechanism is included which provides a bulk capsule handling system which enables the reliable feeding of capsules in axial alignment to a chute which provides a straight line feed from the feeder mechanism past the printing mechanism. The printing mechanism includes in the preferred embodiment an offset printing unit, although other types of rotary printing units may, of course, be utilized in the practice of the invention if desired, and a coordinating mechanism which enables the positive and precise positioning of the capsules relative to the printing mechanism Without damage to them. Interposed between the feed ing mechanism and the printing mechanism is an accelerating mechanism which includes in the preferred embodiment a belt having its lower reach positioned at a slight angle with respect to the chute supporting the capsules so that there is a gradual increasing frictional engagement with the capsules for accelerating them without undue shock and possible damage. This accelerating means is driven at a speed higher than the normal feed rate of the capsules, and it is adapted to place the capsules in end-to-end abutting relationship for positive feed at maximum efficiency through the printing unit. The printing unit incorporates a segmented offset roll in which each segment has sufficient angular flexibility to enable it to move at exactly the same speed as the capsule during the printing operation, thus insuring precise transferral of ink to the capsule in an accurate high speed printing operation. A photocell control is also provided that is responsive to the capsule flow through the chute and is adapted to signal or otherwise control the machine operation when there has been an undue interruption of the capsule flow. The apparatus thus provides a simple and reliable apparatus for printing labels or other indicia on hard gelatin capsules in a rapid and accurate manner. The apparatus is a flexible machine that is easy to operate and permits easy change of capsule size, label type or color of ink.

While there has been shown and described herein a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited thereto or to details thereof, and departures may be made therefrom within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A printing apparatus for automatically placing identificartion indicia on capsules and like articles comprising a supply hopper open at its bottom for holding said articles, an open ended cylinder mounted beneath said hopper in spaced relation thereto, a piston mounted within said cylinder for reciprocating movement toward and away from said hopper, means for moving said piston at a relatively rapid rate away from said hopper to effect transfer of articles from said hopper to said cylinder, means for moving said piston upwardly toward said hopper at a relatively slow rate to radually feed articles from said cylinder outwardly through the aperture between said hopper and said cylinder, a chute adjacent said aperture adapted to receive article vfed. through said aperture, a rotary printing mechanism disposed adjacent said chute, article positioning means disposed adjacent said chute and said printing mechanism and adapted to engage said articles for controlling the feed rate and properly positioning said articles relative to said printing mechanism during the printing process, article accelerating means disposed adjacent said chute between said feed means and said printing mechanism, and means for driving said accelerating means in the feed direction of the articles and at a speed at least one and one-fourth times the feed rate of said articles so that said articles are placed in abutting end-to-end relationship before engagement by said article positioning means.

2. A printing apparatus for automatically placing identification indicia on capsules and like articles comprising a supply hopper open at its bottom for holding said articles, an open ended cylinder mounted beneath said hopper in spaced relation thereto, a piston mounted within said cylinder for reciprocating movement. toward and away from said hopper, means for moving said piston at a relatively rapid rate away from said hopper to effect transfer of articles from said hopper to said cylinder, means for moving said piston upwardly toward said hopper at a relatively slow rate to gradually feed articles from said cylinder outwardly through the aperture between said hopper and said cylinder, a chute adjacent said aperture adapted to receive articles fed through said aperture, a rotary printing mechanism disposed adjacent said chute, article positioning means disposed adjacent said chute and said printing mechanism and adapted to engage said articles for cont-rolling the feed rate and properly positioning said articles relative to said printing mechanism during the printing process, article accelerating means disposed adjacent said chute between said feed means and said printing mechanism comprising a pair of rotatable elements and a belt positioned on said elements, said belt having a lower reach adjacent said chute slightly inclined with respect to said chute and adapted to engage said articles with increasing pressure as they pass beneath said belt, and means for driving said accelerating means in the feed direction of the articles and at a speed at least one and one-fourth times the feed rate of said articles so that said articles are placed in abutting end-toend relationship before engagement by said article positioning means.

3. A printing apparatus for automatically placing identification indici-a on capsules and like articles comprising a supply hopper open at its bottom for holding said articles, an open ended cylinder mounted beneath said hopper in spaced relation thereto, a piston mounted within said cylinder for reciprocating movement toward and away from said hopper, means for moving said piston at a relatively rapid rate away from said hopper to eflect transfer of articles from said hopper to said cylinder, means for moving said piston upwardly toward said hopper at a relatively slow rate to gradually feed articles from said cylinder outwardly through the aperture :between said hopper and said cylinder, a chute adjacent said aperture adapted to receive articles fed through said aperture, a rotary printing mechanism disposed adjacent said chute, article positioning means disposed adjacent said chute and said printing mechanism and adapted to engage said articles thereby controlling the feed rate and properly positioning said articles relative to said printing mechanism during the printing process, said positioning means including two flexible wheels of star configuration with peripheral concave cutout portions adapted to engage each article at a plurality of points for positive positioning thereof, said star wheels being mounted for rotation on opposite sides of said chute, and means for driving said Wheels synchronously in opposite directions.

4. A printing apparatus for automatically. placing identification indicia on capsules and like articles comprising a continuous feed means, a chute associated with said feed means and adapted to receive said articles from said feed means in axial alignment, a rotary printing mechanism disposed adjacent said chute, article positioning means disposed adjacent said chute and said printing mechanism and adapted to engage said articles thereby controlling the feed rate and properly positioning said articles relative to said printing mechanism during the printing process, said positioning means including two rubber-like wheels of star configuration with peripheral concave cutout portions adapted to engage each article at a plurality of points for positive positioning thereof,

said star wheels being mounted for rotation on opposite sides of said chute, means for rotating said Wheel-s syn chronously in opposite directions, article accelerating means disposed adjacent said chute between said feed means and said printing mechanism, and means for driving said accelerating means at a speed in excess of the feed rate of said articles so that said articles are placed in abutting end-to-end relationship before engagement by said article positioning means.

5. A printing apparatus for automatically placing identification indicia on hard gelatin capsules comprising a continuous feed means including a hopper adapted to hold a multiplicity of capsules, a cylindrical cavity positioned below said hopper and including a vertically reciprocable piston therein, said piston having a conically shaped upper surface, a rotatable annular plate surrounding said cavity and mounted adjacent the top of said cavity, an upstanding cylindrical fence surrounding said plate, said piston being adapted to be reciprocated for feeding capsules onto said plate and said plate tending to urge capsules outwardly against said fence and into axial alignment with one another, a substantially straight chute associated with said feed means and adapted to receive said capsules from said plate through an aperture in said fence for substantially continuous feeding in axial alignment, a printing mechanism disposed adjacent said chute comprising a wheel having printing indicia thereon, an ink transfer roll and an ofiset roll each being mounted for rotation with their axes parallel to said indicia carrying wheel and having a surface portion in contact with said indicia carrying wheel whereby ink placed on said indicia carrying wheel by said ink transfer roll is transferred to said offset roll and placed on capsules by said 'ofiset roll for marking them, capsule positioning means disposed adjacent said chute and said offiset roll and adapted to engage capsules thereby controlling the feed rate and properly positioning said capsules relative to said ofiset roll during the printing process, said positioning means including two rubber wheels of star configuration with peripheral concave cutout portions adapted to engage each capsule at a plurality of points for positive positioning thereof, said star wheels being disposed on opposite sides of said chute and having axes of rotation positioned in parallel in advance of the axis of rotation of said ofiset roll by a distance equal to at least the length of said capsule whereby the ofliset roll is enabled to positively drive the printing capsule forward during the "printing operation without interference due to said positioning means, means for rotating said star wheelssynchrqiously in opposite directions, capsule accelerating means disposed adjacent said chute between said feed means and said printing mechanism comprising a pair of rotatable elements and a belt positioned on said elements, said elt having a lower reach adjacent said chute slightly inclined with respect to said chute and adapted to engage said capsules with increasing pressure as they pass beneath said belt, and means for driving said accelerating means at a speed at least one and one-fourth times the feed rate of said capsules so that said capsules are placed in abutting end-to-end relationship before engagement by said capsule positioning means.

6 A printing apparatus for automatically placing identification indicia on capsules and like articles comprising a continuous feed means, a chute associated with said feed means and adapted to receive said articles from said feed means in axial alignment, a rotary printing mechanism disposed adjacent to said chute and including a rotatable member having printing indicia thereon, means to apply a printing medium to said member in accordance with the configurations of said indicia, an offset roll adapted to cooperate with said member for receiving printing medium therefrom for transferal to said articles, said offset roll having its peripheral surface divided into a plurality of segments each of which has sufficient angular flexibility to enable a conformance of the peripheral surface speed thereof to the speed that the article to be printed thereby is fed therepast, and article positioning means disposed adjacent to said chute and said printing mechanism and adapted to engage said articles for controlling the feed rate and properly positioning said articles relative to said printing mechanism during the printing process, said positioning means including two flexible wheels in star configuration each having peripheral concave cutout portions adapted to engage each article at a plurality of points for positive positioning thereof relative to said printing mechanism, said star wheels being mounted for rotation on opposite sides of said chute about axes substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said offset roll, and means for driving said wheels synchronously in opposite directions.

7. A printing apparatus for automatically placing identification indicia on articles of uniform size comprising a continuous feed means including a hopper adapted to hold a multiplicity of said articles, means defining a cavity positioned below said hopper discharge orifice in spaced relation thereto and including a vertically reciprocable piston therein, means to reciprocate said piston for transferring articles from said hopper to said cavity on downward movement of said piston and for feeding articles from said cavity outwardly through the space between said hopper and said cavity on upward movement of said piston, a substantially straight chute associated with said feed means and disposed at an angle of inclination with respect to said annular plate, said chute receiving articles fed from said cavity for substantially continuous feeding along said chute, a rotary printing mechanism disposed adjacent said chute, comprising an indicia carrying member, means to apply printing ink to said member in accordance with the configuration of said indicia, an offset roll adapted to cooperate with said memher for receiving printing ink therefrom for transferral to said articles, and article positioningmeans disposed adjacent said rotary printing mechanismvfor engaging said articles to properly position and control the feed rate thereof relative to said printing mechanism during the printing process.

8, A printing apparatus for automatically placing identification indicia on articles of uniform size comprising article feed means including a hopper adapted to hold a multiplicity of said articles, means defining a cavity positioned below said hopper discharge orifice in spaced relation thereto and including a vertically reciprocable piston therein, an annular plate surrounding said cavity and mounted adjacent the top of said cavity for rotation in a horizontal plane, an upstanding cylindrical fence surrounding said plate, and means to reciprocate said piston for feeding articles onto said plate for positioning against said fence under the influence of the rotation of said annular plate, a substantially straight chute associated with said feed means and disposed at an angle of inclination with respect to said annular plate, said chute receiving articles from said plate through an aperture in said fence for substantially continuous feeding along said chute, a rotary printing mechanism disposed adjacent said chute, comprising an indicia carrying member, means to apply printing ink to said member in accordance with the configuration of said indicia, an offset roll adapted to cooperate with said member for receiving printing ink therefrom for transferral to said articles, and article positioning means disposed adjacent said rotary printing mechanism for engaging said articles to properly position and control the feed rate thereof relative to said printing mechanism during the printing process, said positioning means including two rotatable members adapted to engage each article for positive positioning thereof relative to said printing mechanism, said rotatable members being mounted for rotation on opposite sides of said chute about axes perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said oifset roll and perpendicular to the plane of said chute, and means for driving said rotatable members synchronously in opposite directions.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said means for reciprocating said piston includes means for moving said piston downwardly at a relatively rapid rate away from said hopper to eifect transfer of articles from said hopper to said cylinder, and means for moving said piston upwardly toward said hopper at a relatively slow rate to gradually feed articles from said cylinder outwardly through said aperture between said hopper and said cylinder onto said rotatable plate.

10. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the side wall portions of said ofiset roll are tapered so that the peripheral portions of said roll are narrower than other portions of said roll.

11. A printing apparatus for automatically placing identification indicia on elongated hard gelatine capsules of uniform size comprising a continuous feed means including a hopper adapted to hold a multiplicity of said capsules and having a discharge orifice in the lower portion thereof, means defining a cylindrical cavity positioned below said hopper in spaced relation to define an aperture therebetween, said cavity having a substantially greater cross sectional area than said discharge orifice, a vertically reoiproca ble piston in said cavity, said piston having a conically shaped upper surface, an annular plate surrounding said cavity and mounted adjacent the top of said cavity for rotation in a horizontal plane, an up standing cylindrical fence surrounding said plate and having an aperture therein, means to reciprocate said piston for feeding capsules onto said plate from said conically shaped upper surface, said reciprocating means including means for moving said piston downwardly at a relatively rapid rate away from said hopper to effect transfer of capsules from said hopper to said cavity and means for moving said piston upwardly toward said hopper at a relatively slow rate to gradually feed capsules from said cavity as urged by said conically shaped upper surface outwardly between the aperture between said hopper and said cylinder, and means for rotating said annular plate, said rotating plate tending to urge capsules fed onto it from said upper surface outwardly against said fence and into axial alignment with one another, a substantially straight chute associated with said feed means and disposed at an angle of inclination with respect to said annular plate and tangentially to said fence for communication with said fence aperture, said chute receiving capsules from said plate through said fence aperture for substantially continuous feeding along said chute in axial alignment, a rotary printing mechanism disposed adjacent said chute, comprising an indicia carrying member, means to apply printing ink to said member in accordance with the configuration of said indicia, an offset roll adapted to cooperate with said member for receiving printing ink therefrom tor transferral to said capsules, and capsule positioning means disposed adjacent said chute and said rotary printing mechanism for engaging said capsules to properly position and control the feed rate thereof relative to said printing mechanism during the printing process.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,334,822 Varble Mar. 23, 1920 1,586,310 Johnson May 25, 1926 1,611,679 'Rees Dec. 21, 1926 2,338,635 Galber Jan. 4, 1944 2,524,248 Albertoli Oct. 3, 1950 2,594,337 Noe Apr. 29, 1952 2,635,531 Bruce et al Apr. 21, 1953 2,656,582 Freedlander Oct. 27, 1953 2,674,939 Brengman Apr. 13, 1954 2,725,971 Clark-Riede Dec. 6, 1955 2,785,786 Bartlett Mar. 19, 1957 2,841,269 Jenney et a1 July 1, 1958 2,859,689 Ackley Nov. 11, 1958 2,908,068 Biel et al. Oct. 13, 1959 2,918,163 Willis Dec. 22, 1959 2,974,454 Andre et al Mar. 14, 196-1 

1. A PRINTING APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY PLACING IDENTIFICATION INDICIA ON CAPSULES AND LIKE ARTICLES COMPRISING A SUPPLY HOPPER OPEN AT ITS BOTTOM FOR HOLDING SAID ARTICLES, AN OPEN ENDED CYLINDER MOUNTED BENEATH SAID HOPPER IN SPACED RELATION THERETO, A PISTON MOUNTED WITHIN SAID CYLINDER FOR RECIPROCATING MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID HOPPER, MEANS FOR MOVING SAID PISTON AT A RELATIVELY RAPID RATE AWAY FROM SAID HOPPER TO EFFECT TRANSFER OF ARTICLES FROM SAID HOPPER TO SAID CYLINDER, MEANS FOR MOVING SAID PISTON UPWARDLY TOWARD SAID HOPPER AT A RELATIVELY SLOW RATE TO GRADUALLY FEED ARTICLES FROM SAID CYLINDER OUTWARDLY THROUGH THE APERTURE BETWEEN SAID HOPPER AND SAID CYLINDER, A CHUTE ADJACENT SAID APERTURE ADAPTED TO RECEIVE ARTICLES FED THROUGH SAID APERTURE, A ROTARY PRINTING MECHANISM DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID CHUTE, ARTICLE POSITIONING MEANS DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID CHUTE AND SAID PRINTING MECHANISM AND ADAPTED TO ENGAGE SAID ARTICLES FOR CONTROLLING THE FEED RATE AND PROPERLY POSITIONING SAID ARTICLES RELATIVE TO SAID PRINTING MECHANISM DURING THE PRINTING PROCESS, ARTICLE ACCELERATING MEANS DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID CHUTE BETWEEN SAID FEED MEANS AND SAID PRINTING MECHANISM, AND MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID ACCELERATING MEANS IN THE FEED DIRECTION OF THE ARTICLES AND AT A SPEED AT LEAST ONE AND ONE-FOURTH TIMES THE FEED RATE OF SAID ARTICLES SO THAT SAID ARTICLES ARE PLACED IN ABUTTING END-TO-END RELATIONSHIP BEFORE ENGAGEMENT BY SAID ARTICLE POSITIONING MEANS. 